When you hear the name Michael Jordan, your mind likely makes images of gravity-defying dunks, clutch game-winners, and six NBA championship rings. The Chicago Bulls legend’s legacy is so profound, that it makes the name “Jordan” synonymous with greatness and a shoe line that most of the people in the world recognize. But what if I told you there’s another Michael Jordan making waves in professional sports, one who trades hardwood for turf?

The lesser-known Jordan isn’t soaring through the air in Chicago’s United Center but is instead making waves in Foxborough’s Gillette stadium. Could there be a connection between these two players sharing the same legendary name? Let’s find out.

Diving deep into the NBA and NFL entities 

Before we continue with the question at hand, let’s revisit why the Bull’s legend is referred to as an icon. His Airness has dominated the NBA through the 1980s and 1990s. His resume boasts six NBA championships, six NBA final MVP awards, five NBA MVP awards, and fourteen All-Star appearances. Besides this, he has turned his name into a phenomenal brand for which he is known worldwide – The Air Jordans which is currently valued at $7 billion.

Now, let’s shift our focus to the gridiron. The Michael Jordan namesake has the same height of 6-foot-6 as the NBA legend but is a bit bigger than him, weighing 315 lb. The 25-year-old also played for the guard position on the football field and was drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft, Jordan started playing with the Cincinnati Bengals after playing for Ohio State during his collegiate years. However, he was waived off by the team in 2021. Now he plays in the practice team of the New England Patriots, waiting for his chance to be a part of the main roster.

Now comes the million-dollar question: Are these two related? Despite sharing a name that seems too coincidental to ignore, the Patriots’ Michael Jordan is unrelated to the NBA legend. The Basketball Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Willmington, North Carolina. He honed his skills on the high school courts before ascending to stardom as he won the NCAA championship against Georgetown in 1982 with the University of North Carolina. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984 as the third overall pick.

On the other hand, the football player Jordan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Plymouth, Michigan. He developed his football prowess in the Midwest, eventually earning a spot to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

As he continues to develop in the NFL, the Patriots’ Michael Jordan has the opportunity to create his lasting legacy. While he may never achieve the global icon status of his namesake, he can certainly make a significant impact in professional football, and why we say this can be explained in this comparison.

Comparison between NBA’s Michael Jordan and NFL’s Michael Jordan at the age of 25

At 25, the trajectories of the NBA’s Michael Jordan and the NFL’s Michael Jordan couldn’t have been more different. The NBA Jordan was 25 in 1988. He was already in the fourth season with the Chicago Bulls and was averaging 32.5 points per game that season. By that time he had already claimed his first NBA MVP Award and was selected for his fourth All-Star game. 

Conversely, the NFL’s Michael Jordan is still finding his footing at the age of 25 in professional football. Throughout his career, till now he has played 55 games, including his stints in the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, and the Green Bay Packers. He joined the practice team of the New England Patriots in January and is yet to get his first start.

This difference makes it clear that the young football player might not reach the status of the NBA legend in his respective field. However, the guard is making his efforts and therefore can be speculated to make an impact in the near future. What do you think?

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.